Rising Obesity and Expanded Portion Sizes

Obesity rates in the United States have significantly increased over the decades, closely linked to the expansion of portion sizes in food items. Since the 1970s, many commercially sold food products have increased in size, with examples like bagels growing from around two ounces to a quarter of a pound, and restaurant servings of spaghetti and meatballs doubling in size. This trend can be attributed to consumer demand for perceived value, where larger portions are often equated with more satisfaction for the money spent. Consequently, along with the rising calorie intake—reported to be an additional four to five hundred calories a day—the growing serving sizes have contributed to a public health crisis, underscoring the need to address portion control in combating obesity.